Obituary

When we read the obituary of a child of God, we should not only hear a summary of their life, we should also hear how God was at work in their life. In studying the Scriptures as they are outlined in Luther’s Small Catechism, we have learned to look at God’s work in our lives and His rule over us in terms of three kingdoms: God’s kingdom of power, God’s kingdom of grace, and God’s kingdom of glory. God’s kingdom of power is the world into which we are born and in which we live. God’s kingdom of grace is the Christian Church into which we are reborn by Baptism and in which we believe and serve God with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. God’s kingdom of Glory is heaven, into which we are taken by death that we may live with God and praise Him forever.

Helma Meta (Thalmann) Engelmann was born on October 11, 1921, to Fred and Mary (Burdorf) Thalmann at home in Helen Township, McLeod County, Minnesota. She was baptized as an infant on October 23, 1921, and confirmed in her faith as a youth on April 14, 1935, both at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Hamburg, MN, by Rev. H. J. Bouman. She received her education at District 23 and at Emanuel Lutheran School.

On February 23, 1941, she was united in marriage to Ruben Engelmann of Plato, also at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Hamburg, by Rev. H. J. Bouman. This union was blessed with three children: Lois, Loren, and Leslie. They made their home on a farm just north of Plato until 1979 when they built a home on part of their farm.

After Helma’s father Fred passed away in 1944, her mother Mary came to live with Helma and Ruben for almost 25 years until Mary’s death in 1969. After Ruben passed away in October 1988, Helma remained living in her home until December 2011 at which time she moved to Glencoe Regional Health Services long term care.

Helma and Ruben shared 48 wonderful years together. Helma enjoyed life on the farm raising their three children. She loved to cook and bake, besides helping with the farm work. Helma’s pride and joy were her flowers and gardening. She enjoyed sewing and quilting for her family and for Lutheran World Relief at her church. Helma was an active member of St. John’s LWML for over 50 years until they disbanded in 2010. She rolled many bandages from old bed sheets as part of LWML projects for Global Health Missions. Helma held various offices, taught Sunday school and VBS. She worked at Heartland Retirement Home in Plato and volunteered at Glencoe Regional Health Services for many years. Helma enjoyed playing cards. She baked thousands of chocolate chip cookies over the decades which were enjoyed by the whole family. Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her children, grandchildren, great–grandchildren and the inlaws.

Helma passed away on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at GlenFields Living with Care in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 97 years, 2 months, and 21 days.